RENO - Doug Deeds led the Aces with his league-leading 23rd and 24th doubles of the season, but Reno fell 13-8 to the Portland Beavers in the series finale Tuesday afternoon at Aces Ballpark.
The 21-run, 35-hit slugfest came on an afternoon that saw two Major League rehabbers toe the slab for their respective teams. After Portland jumped ahead 4-0 against Aces starter Kris Benson, Reno responded by scoring seven runs over the next three innings to take a 7-4 lead. But Portland clawed back with a four-run sixth, and added five runs over the game's final two frames to salvage a series split with the Aces.
Benson allowed four runs in four innings before being lifted in favor of Jose Marte, who gave up four runs in 1.2 innings of relief. Jason Urquidez (2-2) was tagged with the loss in relief of Marte after Portland plated three runs in his two innings of work.
Adam Russell (2-2), the Beavers fourth pitcher of the afternoon, earned the win, holding the Aces to one run in two innings. Ernesto Frieri picked up his 12th save of the season, tossing the final two innings of scoreless ball.
The Aces enjoy an off day today before returning to the diamond Thursday evening to begin a four-game set with Salt Lake. Reno will send RHP Matt Torra (3-3, 3.51 ERA) to the hill to oppose LHP Daniel Davidson (6-1, 4.89 ERA).